44

2 Kings 21–25; Nahum; Zephaniah; Habakkuk

Scripture Content Outline	Supplementary Study Sources
2 Kings 21. Judah Returned to Wickedness Manasseh turned Judah to gross wickedness, and the prophets pronounced condemnation upon them (see 2 Kings 21:1–18). Amon continued the evil ways of his father, Manasseh, and was slain by his servants (see 2 Kings 21:19–26).	Religion 302 student manual, 19-1 through 19-5. Religion 301–2 instructor’s guide, Appendix A, 67. Deuteronomy 8:19–20. What had the Lord decreed would happen to Israel if she became idolatrous? Jeremiah 15:4. What did the Lord say would happen because of the wickedness of Manasseh? MF, pp. 40–41. What forms does idolatry assume today?
2 Kings 22:1–23:30. Josiah Attempted to Restore Righteousness in Judah Josiah had the temple repaired (see 2 Kings 22:1–7). When the book of the law was found in the temple, Josiah mourned upon learning from it how far the people had strayed (see 2 Kings 22:8–11). Messengers sent by Josiah went to Huldah the prophetess, who prophesied evil upon Judah; but, she said, Josiah would not see it (2 Kings 22:12–20). Josiah had all the people gather to hear the law and to covenant to obey it (see 2 Kings 23:1–3). Idolatrous worship and the wicked priests were destroyed in Judah, and the Passover was reinstituted (see 2 Kings 23:4–25). Despite their attempts at reform, the Lord said, Judah had sinned too grievously and would be destroyed (see 2 Kings 23:26–28). Josiah was slain in battle against the Egyptians (see 2 Kings 23:29–30).	Religion 302 student manual, 19-6 through 19-14. Religion 301–2 instructor’s guide, Appendix A, 68. 1 Kings 13:2. What prophecy did Josiah fulfill? 2 Chronicles 35:20–24. How did Pharaoh-nechoh respond when he heard that Josiah was planning to fight against him? Zephaniah 1:1. When did Zephaniah prophesy? Mosiah 1:3–5. What is the worth of scripture? (see also Alma 37:8–9). Nehemiah 8:2–10. How valuable were the scriptures to the Jews who returned from captivity in Babylon? Exodus 15:20; Judges 4:4. Who were some women in the scriptures, besides Huldah, who were called prophetesses? (see also Isaiah 8:3; Nehemiah 6:14; Luke 2:36; Acts 21:9). Spencer W. Kimball, “How Rare a Possession—the Scriptures!” Ensign, Sept. 1976, pp. 2–5. How important have the scriptures been to the righteous since the beginning?
2 Kings 23:31–25:30. Judah Became Subject to Egypt and Was Then Taken Captive by Babylon Pharaoh-nechoh of Egypt put Judah under tribute, carried away King Jehoahaz, and placed Jehoiakim on Judah’s throne (see 2 Kings 23:31–24:7). During Jehoiachin’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar overthrew Jerusalem and carried away captive prominent Jews (see 2 Kings 24). Zedekiah, Babylon’s puppet king of Israel, rebelled; the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem, slew Zedekiah’s sons, blinded Zedekiah, and carried him and all but the poorest Jews captive to Babylon (see 2 Kings 24:17–25:21). Gedaliah was appointed ruler in Judah but was assassinated; refugees from Judah fled to Egypt (see 2 Kings 25:22–26). After thirty-seven years in captivity, Jehoiachin was released from prison in Babylon (see 2 Kings 25:27–30).	Religion 302 student manual, 19-15 through 19-24; G-1 through G-4. Because Jeremiah ministered among the Jews during this part of their history you may want to teach the historical material from lessons 45 and 46 with this part of 2 Kings (see also Jeremiah 1:1–3). Daniel 1:1–7. Where does Daniel fit in Judah’s history? (see also 2 Kings 24:10–16). 1 Nephi 1:4, 11–13. How did the ministry of Lehi relate to the downfall of Judah? (see also 2 Nephi 1:4) Ezekiel 4–5, 8–9, 11–12. Prophecies about the wickedness and destruction of Jerusalem are given. 2 Nephi 25:9–10. What always precedes the destruction of a people? DS, 3:40. Why did judgments have to be poured out upon Israel and Judah?
Nahum. Nahum Taught That the Wicked Would Be Destroyed Nahum testified that the Lord has great power that none can withstand and that he would overthrow the wicked (see Nahum 1). Nahum foretold the destruction of Nineveh as a type of the destruction of the wicked at the Lord’s second coming (see Nahum 2–3).	Religion 302 student manual, 20-1 through 20-9. 1 Nephi 9:6. Why will all things be accomplished according to the Lord’s will? D&C 29:11, 21.What will happen to the wicked when the Lord returns? TPJS, p. 271. What brings judgments upon people, cities, and nations?
Habakkuk. Habakkuk Learned That through Faith the Just Are Enabled to Endure Temporary Setbacks at the Hands of the Wicked Habakkuk asked the Lord why the wicked among God’s people were going unpunished (see Habakkuk 1:1–4). The Lord answered that the wicked would be punished by the Chaldeans (see Habakkuk 1:5–11). Habakkuk asked the Lord why a wicked nation would be used to punish those who were more righteous than they (see Habakkuk 1:12–2:1). The Lord told Habakkuk that the power of the wicked was temporary and that the righteous would yet triumph through faith (see Habakkuk 2:2–20). Habakkuk offered a prayer extolling God’s majesty and rejoicing with confidence in the Lord (see Habakkuk 3).	Religion 302 student manual, 22-1 through 22-8. Job 20:5; 21:7–20. What is inevitable for the wicked? Job 23:6, 10. What benefit is there in experiencing tribulations? 1 Nephi 22:16–24. What will be the outcome for the righteous and for those who oppose the Lord’s people? Alma 3:26–27. What can all be assured of at the end of this life? (see also Alma 41). D&C 105:6. What is one of the reasons why the Lord allows his people to be chastened? D&C 121:1–25. What did the Lord teach the Prophet Joseph Smith when the Saints of his day were being persecuted? TPJS, pp. 52–53. What is the justification for God’s wrath upon men?
Zephaniah 1–3. Zephaniah Prophesied of the Day of the Lord’s Wrath Zephaniah foretold the day of destruction and wrath that awaited Judah for her wickedness; that day would be a type of the Second Coming (see Zephaniah 1). 2. Zephaniah foresaw the destruction and wrath that awaited the Philistines, Moabites, Ammonites, and Assyrians (see Zephaniah 2). Zephaniah spoke of the second coming of Christ, a day in which God’s wrath would destroy all wickedness and sin (see Zephaniah 3:1–8). Zephaniah foresaw the blessing of the righteous and the Lord’s reign among them in the last days (see Zephaniah 3:9–20).	Religion 302 student manual, 21-1 through 21-8. D&C 1:8–16. Why will the Lord’s wrath be poured out upon all men? D&C 87:6. What are some evidences of God’s wrath in the earth? D&C 88:87–95. What will happen just before Christ’s second coming to make it a day of wrath? D&C 112:23–26. Where will the day of wrath first commence among men? Why?

Some Suggestions for Presentation

You are not expected to teach everything in the scripture content outline. Select those concepts that you feel will be the most helpful to your students.

The Value of the Scriptures (Section B)

Review the story of Josiah’s obtaining the book of the law of God. Discuss its effect upon him and his people. Use President Spencer W. Kimball’s teachings in the September 1976 Ensign, pages 2–5, to discuss the need to study the scriptures. Emphasize the profound effect the scriptures can have for good upon those who study them diligently. Share the following statement about the value of personal scripture study: “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.” (Spencer W. Kimball, “What I Hope You Will Teach My Grandchildren” [address to seminary and institute personnel], 11 July 1966, p. 6.)

The Downfall of the Kingdom of Judah (Sections A–F)

Using the chronology chart in the Religion 302 student manual, review with students the kings and prophets in Israel during the several decades just before the captivity. Help students understand where the various prophets, including Lehi, fit into the historical chronology (see 1 Nephi 1:4). Point out that Hezekiah and Josiah were the only righteous kings in the 150 years before Judah’s captivity. Use such scriptures as Zephaniah 1:1–4, 14–18 to illustrate the many warnings and prophecies given to Judah about their downfall as well as the reasons for their destruction (see also G-1 through G-4).

Because of the significance of Jeremiah’s ministry during the final years before Judah’s captivity, include passages from Jeremiah in your discussion of Judah’s downfall (see especially lesson 45, sections A–B; lesson 46, sections A–B; D). Use 1 Nephi 1:4, 11–13; 2 Nephi 1:4; Omni 1:15; and Helaman 6:10 to tie the Book of Mormon into this period of Judah’s history.

Relate the conditions in ancient Judah to those in the world today. Testify of the need to obey the counsels of the prophets to avoid a similar fate.